Canadian Aviation Electronics USA, the company that runs the training program for the KC-135 Stratotanker, is now allowed to use USAF’s distributed training center network and will leverage the capability by connecting simulators. This means a pilot training on aerial refueling using the Stratotanker will be connected to a pilot training to receive aerial refueling. “We currently have two simulators where we can link the two together to perform formation flights,” said Maj. Brian Sikkema, 92nd Operations Support Squadron chief of aircrew training, in a release. “What we are moving to next, and what the Air Force is moving to as a whole, is to bring more training online to the virtual world.” And it’s cheap. Sikkema ballparked KC-135 real-life training at $8,000 an hour against LVC training at $500 an hour. Sikkema added that these sorts of capabilities can eventually turn to simulated flag exercises. Networked capabilities first went to Scott AFB, Ill., but Fairchild AFB, Wash., March ARB, Calif., Grissom ARB, Ind., and MacDill AFB, Fla., are expected to gain the capabilities by the end of 2018, according to a CAE release. CAE also runs the training for the still-contested T-100 trainer program.
Navy CCA Program’s Shape Coming into Focus
Oct. 17, 2025
In announcing its Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft contract, General Atomics has provided some clues as to where the service is heading with its version of an armed, autonomous fighter escort. It will likely be quite different from the Air Force version.
